Course Descriptions

how to set-up your camera like the pros, including file format and color space;

how to choose a shooting mode for different photo situations, such as action, portrait, or landscapes;

how to get the most out of auto-focus while learning how to use manual when needed;

how to improve exposure by working with auto-metering and the Exposure Triangle--aperture, shutter speed, and ISO;

how to work with the histogram, white balance, and depth-of-field.

In addition, you will also learn about lenses and other equipment that the pros use, such as flash and filters.

This class is designed especially for beginners and novices or for intermediates who need a comprehensive review of basic camera operations. ($40)

2. Mastering Exposure and Focus. This hands-on workshop provides a detailed understanding of how the pros get sharp images and great exposure. You will learn how to master the Exposure Triangle--aperture, shutter speed, and ISO--in order to become a more creative photographer. And you will learn 10 Strategies the pros use to get tack-sharp images. Specifically, you will learn:

how to control depth-of-field for creative effect;

how to freeze or blur action;

how and when to use fill-flash;

how to get great exposure in difficult lighting situations by using Exposure Compensation, Bracketing, and High Dynamic Range imaging (HDR);

At the end of the workshop, you'll practice each of the concepts learned outdoors working with your own camera. This class is designed for advanced beginners or intermediates. ($40)

3. Mastering the Art of Composition. Arranging the elements within a photograph--composition--is both an art and a craft. This workshop introduces you to the ten most common principles of composition, including leading lines, simplicity, frame dynamics, and the rule of thirds. You'll also learn the basic principles of visual design, such as balance, harmony, and visual weight. To illustrate concepts, we'll discuss dozens of classic and contemporary photographs from some of the world's most famous photographers. This class will help you create images with more visual impact. It's intended for advanced beginners and intermediates. ($40)

4. Photoshop Elements: The Basics. This workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the main features of Photoshop Elements, including how to import, organize, view, edit, and print images. You'll learn how to work with two editors that have been designed for beginning users, the Quick and the Guided Editors. And you'll become familiar with the Elements interface as well as its most important tools. You'll learn how to correct exposure problems, how to remove distracting elements, how to enhance color, and how to sharpen images. This workshop is designed especially for digital photographers who have little experience in organizing or editing their digital images in an editing software program. ($40)

5. Photoshop Elements: Advanced Editing and Layers. This workshop provides an overview of the Expert editor in Elements, showing you how to enhance and optimize your images. You'll learn how to enhance your images (JPEG or RAW) using the Camera Raw Interface. You'll also learn how to work with the Clone and Spot Healing Tools to remove distracting elements and how to work with Selection Tools to make local adjustments and to add visual elements, such as a cloudy sky or a full moon. Then you'll learn how to work with Layers, Layer Masks, and Blending modes to make creative adjustments to your photos. In the process, you'll learn how add textures, change backgrounds, convert to black-and-white, and how to composite multiple images into a single photo. This class requires some basic understanding of Elements. ($40) 6. Adobe Lightroom for Beginners. This workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to Lightroom, including how to import, organize, and edit your photos like the pros. You'll learn how to view your images, create version sets, make collections, work with presets, and make creative adjustments to exposure, tone, color, clarity, contrast, sharpness, and noise reduction. You'll also learn how to work with various Lightroom tools, such as the crop tool, the adjustment brush, the graduated filter, and the spot removal tool. This class is designed for photographers new to Lightroom. ($40)